A New Beginning

How appropriate it was for our pastor to speak from John 3:16 on this day of a new beginning in our church worship center. The message that Jesus said to Nicodemus in Chapter 3 of John is that he needed a new beginning. All that he had done in life was not sufficiently religious enough to please God. The Creater/Redeemer God of the universe said that he needed a rebirth. The human heart is far from God, and God has given us His Son to show us the new way.

We sure enjoyed experiencing the new space to worship. Our pastor reminded us that this building is just a box; and, although a big one and nicely furnished, it doesn't compare to the place of worship that God has placed in our hearts, where He really desires to be worshipped! The new box was almost full, with 951 people. That's still a small chuch in comparison to the 70,000 plus who gather Sunday afternoons in several cities across our land. We have room for growth!

Nativity for Biblical Beauties

I enjoyed coming home yesterday to a house full of teenage girls, making these nativity sceens from chocolates and graham crackers. Kay has been hosting a group of girls from Erin's 8th grade class and this was their special activity for the month. I'm amazed that even simple goodies can be transformed into a celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

Choir Location

This was us last week.

This is us tonight.

What a difference one week makes!

Disney - Extra Magic and FastPass

We started at the Magic Kingdom, riding the Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain and laughing at Monster's Inc.
The second day we went to Epcot and rode Soarin', the Auto Test Track, and Mission to Mars. Our favorite was probably Soarin', but almost became ill on the Mars Mission.
The third day, and we were on to MGM Studios, probably our favorite of the four. The girls went around and around on the Rockin' Roller Coaster, and up and down on the Tower of Terror. Also fun was the Great American Movie Ride.
The fourth day, and we were back to the Magic Kingdom and added rides on the Pirates of the Carribean, and even though I thought we could skip it, It's a Small World. We also rode the ride to Never, Never Land, and a ride on the cars.
The last day we started at Animal Kingdom, minus two teenagers who had to sleep in late, but they caught up with us midway at the Animal Kingdom. There we road the Kilamonjaro Safari to see some of the park animals and took some good photos. We took in a noontime show of the Lion King, and watch the girls ride the Expedition to Everest roller coaster. We closed out the last day back at MGM for dinner at Mama Melrose, and watched the parade of the High School Musical. The girls went back to the Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, and we chilled out at the tribute to the Chronicles of Narnia.
Our best meals of the week were at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridan to have dinner with Cinderella and the Prince. The step's also showed up to say hello. At Epcot, we ate at the Coral Reef, which was probably our best food stop of the trip. At Magic Kingdom, the Liberty Tavern was a great stop to greet Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Minnie Mouse. I can't remember the exact name of the drive-in theater at the MGM, but it was an experience watching the terrible old movies out of the 50's and 60's. The meal at Mama Melrose at MGM was definately better.
We had a good stay at Port Orleans, Riverside in adjoining rooms. We rode the boat once back from our shopping experience at Downtown Disney. Otherwise, we rode the shuttle buses to each location.

Transforming the Worship Center

Sunday afternoon, we set up chairs in our new worship center! Some key individuals can be seen in multiple photos giving great directions. The names Paul and Karen quickly come to mind. We now have sending capacity for up to 800 people. I like how our pastor describes this, not as seating capacity for us to sit down and simply fill up space; but as sending capacity for us to be filled up with the Lord, and go, to tell others.

I had a high vantage point from which to snap these photos, having set up scaffolding 20' high at the front of the worship center to place the video screen. It's pretty cool, one button sends the screen down, and a second button sends it back up. There are up and down limit switches to prevent the screen from going too far in either directions.

We filled God's House with His Word, now we need to see that His House is filled with His Spirit, and of the glory of the knowledge of the Lord.

Monday Night Football

It was a great game in Baltimore. The Ravens lead almost all but the last minute of the game ... And that's the minute that counts in the record books! Brady and New England, have not lost a game all year. This would have been their first... except for a couple of 4th down conversions by the Patriots. The Ravens defense could not hold out until the end even though they'd played a great game. The loudest roar from the 70,000 in the stadium was when the defense sacked Brady twice in a row.

This had been my first NFL football game to attend since September 1984 when I went with my dad to see the Vikings in the Metrodome. We wished we would have left that game after the first quarter, because the Vikings were crushed by the San Diego Chargers, something like 44 to 3. Bud Grant was coaching then again, the year after his retirement.
If I follow my current schedule of attending NFL games, I should be returning by the time I turn 70!

Last night, the game was exciting until the deal was sealed with a penalty for defensive pass interference in the endzone by the Ravens. The Patriots definitely took the prize, and may be headed back to the Super Bowl, and the way they looked, ... undefeated.

OK, I have to put this self photo up to show that I was there. My wife actually likes this photo of me. She must see something that I don't!!!

Filling God's House

I like the story that Pastor Joel from First Baptist Church in Charlottesville told one Christmas Eve, about a child who wanted to fill the church for Christmas. The child first demonstrated how it could be done, by lighting a candle in the middle of the sanctuary. The light from that one candle could be seen throughout every darkened corner.

I was excited by two things this week. First, we joined in with many attenders of our church at Ironbridge Baptist, to fill our new worship center with God's word. This began on Wednesday evening at 7Pm and is nearly complete now as I write this at 8AM Sunday morning. As I entered the worship center from the far corner, I could hear the voice of the reader of the chapter and verse that were before me. Immediately I was reminded of the story from Pastor Joel, and now added to the story, that the spoken Word of God can fill the recesses of even the largest room.

The second thing I was encouraged by was to rehearse with my youngest daughter, the songs the children will be singing in their Christmas program on December 16th. The song, "Take Your Candle, Go Light Your World," is the highlighted song towards the end of the musical. I love this song. I can't wait to hear it song by the children in this new sanctuary.

There is a candle in every soul,

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold,

There is a Spirit who brings fire,

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness,

Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn,

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, and go light your world,

Take your candle, and go light your world.

Words by Kathy Troccoli.

I know what we really want to do, is fill God's house with His Word,

and with the light of His Spirit that He places within us,

and with the souls of our relatives, friends, neighbors and coworkers.